Find out how to cook perfect Basmati Rice in the Instant Pot, and also the ratio of basmati rice to water to make fluffy and tender rice. This no-soak method requires only water for a quick and easy healthy Indian side dish to serve along with this easy naan, coconut chicken curry and mushroom curry.
What is Basmati Rice?
Basmati is a variety of slender, long-grain rice that has been cultivated on the Indian subcontinent for centuries. It has become well-known all over the world due to the popularization of Indian and Pakistani cuisines, and because it is quite aromatic.
The word "basmati" comes from the Hindi bāsmatī, which literally means "fragrant." There can be other spelling variants, such as Bans-matti, Bansumutti, Bansmatti, Bansumutte, Basmatte.
Basmati rice has a pandan-like flavor, and there are several varieties, including brown and white basmati rice.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Making Instant Pot basmati rice couldn’t be any easier. It really requires just two ingredients, and two others can be useful but are optional.
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Basmati Rice – We use the white variety, which cooks in 3 minutes in the pressure cooker. But if you prefer to use brown basmati rice, increase the time to 20-22 minutes.
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Water– if you prefer, you may use a vegetable broth, although the rice itself is already tasty enough, requiring just plain water.
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Salt (optional) – I prefer to add this to mine but you can skip it, especially if you use a broth instead of water. Use about 1 teaspoon of salt per cup of dried rice, or less if you added broth instead of water.
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Vegetable oil (optional)– Although this is optional, I prefer to mix it into the rice-- especially before cooking-- because it helps to keep the individual grains separate while cooking. You may replace this with coconut oil or butter.
This Instant Pot basmati rice is vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free, requiring less than 5 ingredients.
Rinsing Basmati Rice
You may not have to soak the rice before cooking... yet rinsing is a crucial step to getting fluffy rice with loose or separated grains.
You just have to rinse the uncooked grains either in a fine colander under running cold water or in a bowl with water. Rinse well until the water is not cloudy anymore. This will remove most of the starchy outer layer responsible for making the rice stick together!
But if you prefer or have time for it, soak the rice in water for 10-15 minutes for white or 20-30 minutes for brown basmati rice and then rinse several times until no longer cloudy. The water must be clear!
FAQ'S
How much cooked rice does 1 cup of dried rice make?
One cup of dried basmati rice yields about 3 cups of cooked rice.
How long to cook basmati rice in the Instant Pot?
It depends on the variety, as follows:
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Pressure cooker basmati rice takes about 3 minutes to cook.
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Instant Pot brown basmati rice cooks in 20-22 minutes on high pressure.
Note: If you are making rice cooker basmati rice, it’ll take around 12-15 minutes to cook, which is similar to the stovetop cooking time.
What is the rice to water ratio for Basmati Rice in Instant Pot?
For every 1 cup of dried basmati rice cooked in the Instant Pot, you will need 1 – 1 ¼ cups of water.
But if you are making the rice on the stovetop, you will need 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of dried rice.
Note that cooking rice in the Instant Pot requires less water than cooking on the stovetop or rice cooker.
How much water do I use for 2, 3, and 4 cups of basmati rice in the pressure cooker?
If you’re doubling, tripling, or quadrupling this basmati rice recipe, take note of the following:
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2 cups rice, use 2 to 2 ½ cups water
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For 3 cups rice, add 3 to 3 ¾ cups water
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4 cups rice, use 4 to 5 cups water
How to cook Instant Pot Basmati Rice
STEP 1 (RINSE): To make perfect basmati rice in the Instant Pot, start by adding the rice to a bowl of cold water. You will need just enough water to cover the rice and then rinse it several times until the water becomes clear.
Although not necessary, you may soak the rice in water for 10-15 minutes and then rinse until the water becomes clear. Next, drain the rice!
Soaking will help the rice grain to acquire extra length, which is characteristic of basmati rice. According to researchers, this soaking step also helps reduce toxins by 80%.
If you soak the rice before cooking, use just 1 cup of water to cook 1 cup of rice in the Instant Pot. But if you only rinse the rice, then increase the rice to water ratio to 1:1 ¼ cups.
Note that cooking basmati rice in a saucepan requires double the volume of water than rice. However, less water is enough to get perfectly cooked rice in the pressure cooker.
STEP 2 (COOK): Add rinsed and drained rice to the Instant Pot and pour in the water. You will need 1 ¼ cups of water for every 1 cup of rinsed rice. If you soaked the rice, you will need just 1 cup of water!
Stir in the salt and the oil. Although not required, I like to add oil to mine because it will help the grains not to clump together!
Lock the lid, turn the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. Depending on your model, you may have to either use the manual function or press the rice button and adjust the time manually.
It will take around 6 minutes for the pressure cooker to come to pressure.
STEP 3 (RELEASE PRESSURE): When the cooking time comes to an end, wait for 5 minutes and then do a quick release. Then fluff the rice with a fork and serve.
Stovetop Basmati Rice (Alternative Method)
- To make the basmati rice on the stovetop instead, use 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of dried rice.
- Rinse the rice with enough water to cover it until it becomes clear. Drain!
- Then, bring the water to a boil and stir in the rice, salt, and oil. Cover the pan and reduce to a simmer (medium-low). Let cook for 12-15 minutes or until al dente. Fluff with a fork and enjoy!
You can use leftovers to make this shrimp fried rice, ham and cheese baked rice, or our Greek rice. But if desserts are on your mind, our slow cooker rice pudding and rice cake will satisfy your palate!
Chart for Perfect Instant Pot Basmati Rice
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Option 1 |
Option 2 |
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Soaking Rice |
10-15 minutes |
No soaking |
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Rice to water ratio |
1:1 |
1:1.25 |
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Pressure Cook / Manual (High pressure, vent sealed) |
3 minutes |
3 minutes |
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Pressure Release |
5 minute NPR |
5 minute NPR |
Storage
Instant Pot basmati rice will keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Freeze for up to one month, as you can see in our easy freezer meals chart.
Other Instant Pot Recipes
- Galinhada (Saffron Rice and Chicken)
- Instant Pot Whole Chicken
- Black Beans and Rice
- Instant Pot Ground Beef
- Instant Pot Lamb Korma
PIN & ENJOY!
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Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Equipment
- Instant Pot or pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried basmati rice For extra long grains, either buy the rice labeled "super long" or soak the rice in water for 10-15 minutes and then wash it well until the water is clear again and drain. Either way, make sure to wash the rice until the water gets clear again in order to remove most of the starch and get loose grains. Otherwise, the grains will be sticky!
- 1 ¼ cups water This is the amount of water required if you only pre-rinsed the rice. If you pre-soaked it, use just 1 cup of water
- 1 teaspoon salt Optional but preferred (decrease the amount if you used broth instead of water)
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil Optional but preferred to help grains to NOT clump together). You may use coconut oil or butter instead
Instructions
- Add the rice to a bowl and then add enough cold water to cover the rice. Rinse it several times until the water becomes clear. Next, drain the rice!
- Although not necessary, you may soak the rice in water for 10-15 minutes and then rinse until the water becomes clear. This will give the rice extra grain length.
- Add rinsed and drained rice to the Instant Pot and pour in the water. You will need 1 ¼ cups of water for every 1 cup of rinsed rice. If you soaked the rice, you will need only 1 cup of water!
- Stir in the salt and the oil. Although not required, I like to add oil to mine because it will help the grains not clump together!
- Lock the lid, turn the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. This is for ‘al dente’ rice! Add 1 minute more if you prefer yours super tender. Depending on your model, you may have to either use the manual function or press the rice button and adjust the time manually. It will take around 6 minutes for the pressure cooker to come to pressure.
- When the cooking time comes to an end, wait for 5 minutes and then do a quick release. Then fluff the rice with a fork and serve.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- To make the basmati rice on the stovetop instead, use 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of dried rice.
- Rinse the rice with enough water to cover it until it becomes clear. Drain! Then, bring the water to a boil and stir in the rice, salt, and oil. Cover the pan and reduce to a simmer (medium-low). Let cook for 12-15 minutes or unto al dente. Fluff with a fork and enjoy!
Nutrition
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Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.
Raymund says
That rice is perfect with any curry that you throw on it, love it, so fluffy!
John / Kitchen Riffs says
Basmati is SO good. Love its flavor, its texture -- just every single thing about it. 🙂
Denise Browning says
Indeed. It is very frangrant and tender.
Sandie says
Your photo looks more like jasmine rice or an even shorter grained rice; Basmati is very long and slender... what rice is in the photo?
Denise Browning says
Hi Sandie! My rice is really basmati. Because I was in a hurry, I did not soak it for at least 15-30 minutes before cooking. If you soak it, the grain will swell and get extra long. And the photos are my own. I want to let you know my recipes (all of them without exception) really contain the ingredients listed in the recipes. I would never deceive people using something else. I hope you try this recipe. Please make a test: make a batch without soaking and the othersoaking before cooking and you will see the difference in the size of the grain. Do not use Instant rice. Use the real grain and see for yourself what I am saying.
Sandie says
thanks for the reply... I purchase Dunar Elonga Basmati Rice AND that is long grain basmati... each grain is close to 3/4 inches long, it is gorgeous; I didn't mean to say that you are deceiving anyone, just wonder where you get your "basmati" rice
Denise Browning says
Hi Sandie! Thank you for letting me know. Mine was bought at Walmart and the brand is Great Value. In the package instructions, they mention soaking as optional but it will make the grain longer. As you already know, I did not soak mine. This is their generic brand and so less costly than other brands.
Sandie says
I love saving money by buying the least expensive brands at Walmart, but decided to treat myself to the real deal. I absolutely love Dunar Elonga Basmati Rice and in the grand scheme of things, any brand of rice is pretty inexpensive compared to filet mignon... and if you are writing a food blog, why would you skip an important step like soaking for 30 minutes in cold water when its so easy and makes such a huge difference in the end result. thanks for your post of how to cook basmati rice but I would think you would want to do it correctly... just my 2 cents, again I sure appreciate your info
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Sandie! Yes, rice is inexpensive if compared to other food items. But because of the pandemic, my family nd I had to tighten our budget quite a bit. And yes, I could have soaked the rice before cooking but I wanted to demonstrate in a post this is an optional step for those in a hurry like me. I work 12 hours per day (sometimes more). The rice will still be cooked properly and tender to the bite. The difference is only the appearance. I leave to people the choice to soak or not, depending on their time and wants. We will be recording a video for this recipe soon so you may encounter an image with a long, slender grain. Have a great evening!
Sandie says
I mean if you want to call something "perfect" basmati rice then take the extra time to perfect it... otherwise just call it inexpensive, easy, on the fly or in a pinch basmati rice... perfect basmati rice connotates perfection, like using the best ingredients, and not skipping any important steps in the process that make a difference btwn quick, easy kinda sticky basmati rice and really perfect basmati rice that is truly dreamy in every way
Organic basmati rice says
Nice recipe.
Denise Browning says
Thank you! It is quick and simple to make basmati rice in the instant pot as you can see!